Laura Latimer, Executive Director
Laura Latimer, Executive Director Before coming to SASO, I was the Program Manager for Volunteers of America, Southwest Safehouse for three years. Prior to working with the Southwest Safehouse, I worked at Fort Lewis College in Student Housing and Conference Services for 14 years. I was responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion training, supervising staff, coordinating large scale events, advising student government, and providing educational programs on a variety of topics. I then worked at Pueblo Community College as an Academic Advisor and then Regional Director for Student Success. I also served as a Title IX Officer. I earned my Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Adam’s State University.
Kelsey Lansing, Director of Operations
KELSEY LANSING, Cultural Outreach Coordinator II Kelsey Lansing joined SASO as a hotline and prevention education volunteer in 2015. She is a member of the Navajo tribe from the Near the Water clan and is born for the Water Flows Together clan. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Native American & Indigenous Studies with a focused interest in Socio-Anthropology. Her passions include research on historical trauma, Indigenous feminism, and learning the traditions of cultures. When she is not at work, Kelsey likes to explore Durango, read fiction book, and spend time with her family and friends.
Brenda Chavez Alonso, Cultural Outreach Coordinator I
BRENDA CHAVEZ ALONSO, Cultural Outreach Coordinator I Brenda joined SASO in 2022 after she moved from Mexico City to Durango in 2020. She attended Mexico’s Autonomous University of Hidalgo, and the University of Lleida in Spain. Brenda graduated in 2014 and worked as a lawyer in Mexico City for five years. She has volunteered in organizations in Durango, such as Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center. She has attended trainings with SASO, and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. In her free time, Brenda enjoys watching women’s soccer games, cooking Mexican food, and spending time with her wife.
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Raven Nyx, Volunteer and advocacy services coordinator Raven Nyx came to SASO in January 2023. They worked previously as a Deputy at the La Plata County Sheriff’s office for over 11 years, serving on the Domestic Violence Prevention Team. They are a Veteran of the U.S. Army. Raven is passionate about spreading awareness on service dogs, and humans with invisible illnesses. In their spare time they like to read and craft.
Tahleiah Begay, Communication and Volunteer Coordinator
Tahleiah Begay, Communication and Volunteer Coordinator Tahleiah graduated from Fort Lewis College in December of 2023, with a bachelor's degree in Criminology & Justice studies as well as minor in Psychology. She was previously an intern with SASO for a year, now she is a full-time advocate. She is passionate about creating community support and working with the judicial system. On her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, tattooing, hiking, and sending time with her cat Otis.
Alexis Mitchell, Community Education Coordinator
Aliya Reid, COVA intern
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CYNTHIA ASPEN, Finance Manager Cynthia has been a feminist activist ever since marching for the Equal Rights Amendment at the tender and formative age of two. They began their work in victim advocacy and assault prevention at their alma mater, the University of Illinois, and has continued in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and Colorado. In their fifteen years in Durango, Cynthia has served as the accountant for several nonprofit organizations, in addition to volunteering their time as the local coordinator for the National Organization for Women, the Family Center of Durango, and SASO. They are passionate about budgets, numbers, and pie charts, and their favorite moments are spent raising a safe, strong and free daughter with their husband, Robert.

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